Give a giving gift.

I love the idea of donating to a nonprofit in someone else's name. It's a great way to support your favorite organizations and honor someone you care about at the same time. (A great idea for weddings!) But what if your friend, relative or colleague wants to support a different organization? Now you can let them choose by giving charity gift certificates. You provide the financial donation, but your friend decides where to donate it.

Here are two ways to purchase charity gift certificates:

* CharityGiftCertificates.org "Our eCards, Gift Cards and Gift Certificates are Charity Donations that add a charitable dimension to special occasions, holidays, presentations and ceremonies. A great gift idea to accompany awards and trophies, flowers, wine, gift baskets, business gifts and every standard gift item." Recipients choose from "over 75 charities."

* JustGive.org "Charity Gift Certificates enable you to purchase a gift certificate and allow your recipients to redeem it to support their favorite charity." Recipients choose from "more than 1,000,000 nonprofits across the nation."

These go well with a child's, colleague's, friend's or relative's gift (and make a great way to teach a child about giving). They can also stand alone, or be used in a wedding or other registry. Remember, the gift will be tax-deductible (for the purchaser). Also, if you run a non-profit, you may want to consult the organizations above to be added to their list.

During this season of giving, and throughout the year, choose the gift that will give again.

"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar." - Helen Keller